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On Tuesday, 10th December, the Estadio ·¡²õ±è²¹Ã±´Ç±ô in Viña del Mar hosted the closing event of Rebuilding Without Bricks: Skills for Resilience in the Education Sector, an initiative that marked a milestone in the response to the devastating fires of February 2024. This project stood out for its innovative approach to strengthening educational communities by developing key competencies in socio-emotional education, psychosocial support, and resilience.

Led by UNESCO's Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, in collaboration with Fundación SM and the Municipal Corporation for Education of Viña del Mar, the project was implemented in six schools affected by the fires: Escuela Arturo Prat, Escuela Santa Julia, Escuela Canal Beagle, Escuela Patricio Lynch, Escuela Ministro Zenteno, and Escuela República del Líbano 1. Through participatory workshops and strategies tailored to the specific needs of each community, educational teams tackled critical topics such as emotional management, emergency preparedness, and post-crisis recovery.

One of the most significant actions was the distribution of books focusing on values like resilience, self-esteem, and coexistence. In this context, authors such as Daniellè Ball visited the schools to engage in dialogue with students, creating spaces for reflection through literature. These activities promoted an innovative approach to strengthening the emotional wellbeing of educational communities.

During the closing event, several voices highlighted the importance and impact of Rebuilding Without Bricks. Erick Layana, municipal administrator of Viña del Mar, remarked that "rebuilding does not always mean laying bricks or erecting houses. In this case, it has meant strengthening relationships, caring for the socio-emotional health of our educational communities, and providing them with tools to face the challenges that arise after a disaster like this."

Rafael Gómez, director of Fundación SM, emphasised that "this project also delivered literary texts aligned with values of socio-emotional wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion. The excitement and joy we saw in children when they engaged with the authors inspire us to continue advancing these initiatives."

Paula Klenner, National Education Officer for UNESCO Santiago, added: "We are often asked, ‘What does a resilient school look like?’ And we have received the answer from Viña del Mar's own educational communities: it is one that strengthens bonds between students, educational staff, and families, plans according to its context, and promotes the socio-emotional wellbeing of its community."

Rebuilding Without Bricks serves as an example of how collaborative work between institutions such as UNESCO, Fundación SM, and the Municipal Corporation of Viña del Mar can transform adversity into opportunities for learning and resilience. This project not only leaves a significant legacy in Viña del Mar but also stands as a replicable model for other communities facing the challenges of rebuilding after emergencies, reaffirming the transformative power of education as a tool for social cohesion and development.